Piano-action.



NO. 6 93,I3I. Patented Feb. II, I902. I E. M. I-IIIMILTDN.v

PIA N0 ACTION.

(AppIipa. tion filed Jan. 11.1901. I Modem 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

N0. 693,13l. Patented Feb. ll, I902. E. M. HAMILTON.

PIANU ACTION.

. (Applicatiomfliedlan. 11, 1901.) (No Model.) 7 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

WITNESES:

m: Nomus Pal-Ens 00.. PNMQ-LITHOLwNNINMoN. o. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMERY M. HAMILTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PlANQ-ACTION.

fiiEEGIFICATliQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 693,131, dated February 11, 1902.

Application filed January 11, 1901. Serial No. 42,838. (No modcLl T0 ctZZ 1071,0771. it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMERY M. HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, andState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Piano-Actions, of which the follo'wing'is a specification. r

My invention relatestopiano-actions; and the object of said invention is to provide an easy, simple, cheap, and efficient action consisting of but few parts, wherein there is little liability of the parts becoming deranged or broken and with the aid of which repetitions may be rapidly effected.

To these ends my invention consists in the novel arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like charactersindicate corresponding parts in the various views, Figure 1 is a side view of an action embodying my invention, the parts being shown inthe normal position or the positionof rest. Fig. 2 is a like view of the same with the parts shown in the position they assume when the ham m'er-head has been checked. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary face view of several of the mounting-flanges for the action, these flanges being shown secured in place to the rail. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail fragmentary view, partly in section, of one end of the key, the section being taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. ,5. top view of the same.

Reference being had to the drawings, A indicates the piano-key, the inner end of which is recessed, as indicatedat at in Figs. 2,4, and 5 of the drawings. The forward walla of this recessed portion is preferably inclinedforwardly, whereas the lowermost wall a is adapted tosupport the part b, as indicated in Fig.5 is a Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and the rear wall is cut away to provide an openingwhich permits a removal of the key, as will be hereinafter described. This part b is adj ustably secured to the extension-piece B of the action by a screw-thread connection, and a longitudinal adjustment of the part b may be accomplished by turning the same. By this construction it will be observed that all joints or connections betweenthe extension-piece and other portions of the instrument are avoided and that room is provided for the movement mer-butt G.

. shank, and butt.

of the key without displacing the extensionpiece, and at the same time the key may be readily lifted off the ordinary mounting-pin and removed from the instrument without disconnecting any of the other parts of the action.

In the normal operation of the action the abutment or rail b prevents an accidental displacement of the part b from the recess in the key. When it isdesired to remove the key, it is merely necessary to elevate the forward end thereof sufficiently to lift the key off the usual pin, (not shown,) when the key may be drawn forward and removed from the instrument. This movement is permitted by the slopingwall a of the recessed portion in the key. The extension-piece B of the action is pivoted, as indicated at b to the ham- This hammer-butt is in its turn pivoted to a flange D, as indicated at c. The hammer-butt G is preferably recessed, as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, for the reception of the shank e of the hammer E. The hammer-shank ispivoted to the ham mer-butt, as indicated at e, and at times is adapted to move independently of the hammer-butt, .as will hereinafter more fully appear. The hammer. E has rigidly secured thereto what 1 term a checking-abutment e By hammer'-.I mean to include the hammer head, In the present instance this checking-abutment constitutes a portion of the hammer-head and is adapted to cooperate with the back-check I. This back-check is fixed to a rail '1; and may be adjusted in a direction transverse to the path of movement of the checking-abutment c Upon the hammer-shank e is carried a lug 6. which may be provided with the usual felt covering, and above this lug 6 may be secured a suitable pin or stop e. Pivoted to the hammenbutt G is a jack F, the pivot being'ind-icatedatf.

One end of a coiled spring f is secured to the jack, while the opposite end of this spring is secured to a string or other flexible connection f This flexible connection f? is inits turn secured to an ad j usting-piece f which is carried by the extension-piece B. By turning the adj usting-piece f the tension of the spring f may be varied. The jack F is providedwith a breaking heel or abutment f, which is adapted to codperate with a regulating or breaking button f This button f is adjustably secured to a support f, which is preferably secured to the extensionpiece B, so as to move with the action. A damper G is pivoted to a suitable flange carried by the damper-rail g, and the lower end of the stem of the damper is adapted to contact with the hammer-butt, as indicated in the drawings. It will be observed that a movement of the hammer from the position indicated in Fig. 1 to the position indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings will cause the damper G to be lifted off the string H, so that the string is free to vibrate, and that when the hammer again assumes the normal position (indicated in Fig. 1) the damper is auto- 3 matically applied to check the vibrations.

From an examination of Fig. 3 of the drawings it will be observed that each of the flanges D is imperforate throughout the body portion thereof, but is preferably contracted throughout a portion of its length, as indicated at d. This contraction permits the passage of securing-screws d of sufficient thickness, and the screws may each extend through a washer 01 that bears upon the faces of adjacent flanges and at the same time allows the proper close assembling of the flanges. By screwing down screws d in screw-threaded openings in the plate D the flanges may be rigidly secured in place. This plate D is preferably made of metal, though obviously it may be made of wood or other suitable materials. By securing the flanges in place upon the rail D in the manner indicated an eflicient support throughout a considerable extent of each of the flanges is provided by the washers bearing thereon and the flanges are not weakened by holes which are ordinarily employed for the passage of screws to secure the flanges in place. Furthermore, it will be observed that the screws 01, which secure the flanges in place, are disposed to each side of the action, and that therefore the flange and the action may be readily disconnected without dismounting any other portion of the action, and that access to the screws d is given at all times by reason of the fact that they extend between the actions and not behind any portion thereof, as is usuallythe case. Again, it will be seen that it is unnecessary with this construction to entirely disconnect the securing-screws cl in order to remove a flange and the action pivoted thereto. Thus by merely loosening the screws d the flanges may be withdrawn, together with the actions.

It will be understood that the portion of each of the flanges which is connected to the movable part of the action may be constructed in any suitable manner. A spring 00 is preferably carried by the extension-piece of each action and contacts with the lower end of the shank e of the hammer before the hammerhead reaehes the string. This springinsures the rapid movement of the head away from the string after the jack is broken. The

feltx constitutes an abutment for the shank of the hammer-butt and replaces the ordinary bridle-that is to say, the felt as constitutes an abutment that controls the forward movement of the hammer with relation to the hammer-butt and assures the two moving back together to the normal position.

Having described the construction, I will now describe the operation of the action. A depression of the outer end of the key will raise the extension-piece B, and the hammerhead will be forced into contact with the string H. The movement of the hammer in the direction of its operative stroke isindicated by line 1 in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This movement of the hammer takes place around the pivot c,and the ham mer and the hammer-butt move together as one piece in this movement toward the string. Just before the ham merhead reaches the string the jack F is broken that is to say, the heelf thereon reaches contact with the breaking-button and causes the free end of the jack to be withdrawn from under the lug 6 thereby permitting a free movementor rebound of the hammer around itspivot eindependentlyof thehammer-butt. It will be understood that the hammer-butt has at this point attained its highest position, which is indicated by the line 5, Fig. 2, and is in this position during the rebound of the hammer. The movement of the ham merhead back from the string is a movement in a difierent are from that followed by the hammer-head in its movement toward the string. The are described by the hammer-head in this movement back from the string is indicated by the dotted line 2 in Fig. 2 of the drawings. It will be observed that the arcs 1 2 are iuelined one with relation to another, so that an extension, of these arcs causes them to converge. The movement of the hammer-head in the manner described in two different arcs enables the hammer-head and the checkingabutment carried thereby to clear the backcheck I in the movement of the hammer toward the string. WVhen, however, the hammer moves in the reverse direction toward the checking-head, the checking-abutment c of the hammer will be brought into contact with the back-cheek to check the hammer in its backward movement". It will be understood, of course, that this checking ofthehammeris a momentary one and is accomplished by the movement of the hammer around the pivot 6. When the performer releases the key and the rear end thereof descends, which is subsequent to the checking of the hammer-head,the ham mer-butt C will be lowered and the movement of the hammer as a whole back to the normal position will be around the pivot c. In the movement of the hammer in the direction of its operative stroke the jack F will be maintained in position under the lug e on the shank of the hammer until the heelf reaches contact with the button f when the jack will be removed from the lug. This brcaki ng takes place just before the ham mcrhead reaches the string and the point of break may be regulated by an adjustment of thebutton f. The pin e need not necessarily be employed; but I prefer to use it in order to limit the outward movement of the jack and to provide against even a possibility of the jack moving to a position where it will be ineffective to immediately cooperate with the ing 6 when required to do so, and thus provide against blocking. As soon as the jack is broken in the manner described the spring x will tend to force the hammer-head away from the string, so as to prevent the vibrating string from contacting with the hammerhead. When the'key is released and the inner end thereof starts to descend, the jack will be immediately brought into position under the lug e as soon as the heel 1 moves away from the button f? It will be observed that the connection between the jack F and the spring f is such that the spring will tend to force the jack under the lug. However,

this tendency will be decreased as the ham-- mer moves toward the string, as will be hereinafter explained.

The spring f has two functions. Thus it tends to convey the hammer back to the normal position or position of rest and it forces the jack under the lug e on the hammer and at all times maintains the jack in a position where it will properly cooperate with the lug e It is desirable in piano-actions that the amountof pressure required to force the hamrner from the normal position to the string should be the same throughout the stroke. It is likewise desirable that the hammer-head should be returned toward the normal posi tion as quickly as possible and that an accel erated backward movement should be given to the hammer-head the instant it touches the string. I accomplish these results with the aid of my invention. Thus it will be understood that when the hammer is moved to- Ward the string the spring f will be elongated, so that the tension is gradull y increased as the hammer approaches the string.

When the parts are in the position of rest, (indicated in Fig. 1,) the operator has the weight of the hammer and other portions of the action to overcome in depressing the key. However, as the hammer approaches the string the'parts are brought nearer to the dead-center position or over the support for the hammer and the weight of the parts upon they key is gradually decreased. .As the weight of the parts upon the key is being gradually decreased the tension of the spring f is being proportionately increased by an elongation of the spring, therebyequalizing the weight upon the key. When, how'- ever, the hammer has about reached the limit of its movement in the direction of its operative stroke, the hammer will be substantially over the hammer-rail, so thatthe weight of the parts will be decreased, and the spring at this time will be under its greatest tension to quickly return the parts to the norline t, Fig. 1, to the line 5, Fig. 2.

to the highest position.

mal position when the key is released. WVhile the tension of the spring f is gradually increased in the movement of the hammertoward the string, this increased tension is not exerted upon the jack in the tendency of the spring to operate it. On the other hand, the eifective force of the spring for operating the jack is actually decreased as the tension of the spring is increased to equalize the weight upon the key. This is efiected by changing the relative positions of the ends of .the spring f. For instance, it will be observed that while the jack is maintained in the same position with relation to the 11ammer-butt at all times, except when the break takes place, nevertheless the point of connection of the spring f with jackF describes an are around the pivot 11 in the vertical movement of the jack as a whole from the These lines 4; and 5 extend horizontally from the pivotf of the jack, and the line 3 extends horizontally from the pivot c. The pivot 0 being a fixed point, the lines 4 and 5 will indicate the extent of vertical movement of the jack as a whole from the lowermost position In the movement of the parts from the position represented in Fig. 1 to the position represented in a general way in Fig. 2 the spring will have been moved from a position substantially parallel to the extension-piece B, Fig. 1, to a position where the spring will be substantially in alinement with a line extending from the pivot f of the jack to a point where the spring is connected to theadjusting-piece f and which is suggested in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The movement of the spring f from the position represented in Fig. l to that indicated in Fig. 2 will cause a gradually-decreased operative tension to be exerted upon the jack, notwithstanding the factthat the spring itself is actually elongated and under higher tension. The object of this is to permit the spring f to exert a gradually-increasing tension to equalize the weight on the key and to nevertheless gradually decrease the operative tension upon the jack, so that it can be readily broken by the slightest contact between the button f and the heel f? of the jack. In this way there is no shock, and the break is not perceptible to the performer when depressing a key. It will likewise be observed that while the tension of the spring f varies it nevertheless at all times tends to force the jack under the lug 6 Q By carrying the button f upon the action itself instead of upon a fixed rail, as heretofore, I am enabled to gradually bring about the breaking of the action. Thus it will be seen that the button f moves up with the action during the movement of the hammer in the direction of its operative stroke and that the breaking therefore takes place gradually and without jar, and yet the point of break may be regulated to a nicety.

By my invention the checking is accomplished by direct contact of the ham mer-head upon the fixed back-check, where the checking can be most effectively accomplished and without straining the action as a whole. It will likewise be observed that no intermediate or movable parts are employed between the hammer-head and the back-check I and that there is therefore no liability of the parts becoming deranged or broken. It is obvious, however, that the checking-abutment need not necessarily be carried directly upon the hammer-head, but for reasons stated I prefer that it should be.

By my invention I am enabled to entirely dispense with the usual loading of the keys, the adjnsting-piecef and the cooperatingspring f being employed to regulate the amountof weight upon the key. By this arrangement an easier, more efficient, and more flexible action is provided than one wherein the key is leaded to regulate the weight.

While I have shown and described with considerable detail one form or embodiment and what I consider to be the best form of my invention, I would have it understood that various changes may be made in the action Without departing from the spirit of my invention. Thus, for instance, the location of the parts may be greatly changed without in any way aifecting the operation of the action.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. In a piano-action, the combination of a hammer, means for moving the hammer and a fixed back-check with which said hammer cooperates in its movement back from the string before the hammer reaches the normal position.

2. In a piano-action, the combination of a hammer, a checking-abutment fixed to said hammer, means for moving the hammer and a fixed back-check with which the checkingabutment cooperates in the movement of the hammer back from the string and before the hammer reaches the normal position.

3. In apiano-action, the combination of a hammer, a checking-abutment forming part of the hammer-head, means for moving the hammer and a fixed back-check with which the checking-abutment cooperates in the movement of the hammer back from the string and before the hammer reaches the normal position.

4. In a piano-action, the combination of a hammer, means for moving the hammer in the direction of its operative stroke on one arc and permitting its return to the normal position on another arc for at least a portion of its return movement.

5. In a piano-action, the combination of a pivoted hammer, means for moving the hammer in the direction of its operative stroke on one pivotal center and permitting its return to the normal position on another pivotal center for at least a portion of its return movement.

6. In a piano-action, the combination of a hammer, means for moving the hammer in the direction of its operative stroke on one are and permitting its return to the normal position on another arc for at least a portion ofits return movement, said arcs being at an angle to each other.

7. In a piano-action, the combination of a hammer, a fixed back check cooperating therewith, means for moving the hammer freely past the back-check in the direction-of the operative stroke of said hammer and for permitting the hammer-head to contact with the back-check during the return stroke of said hammer.

8. In a piano-action, the combination of a hammer, a checking-abutment fixed to the hammer-head, a fixed back-check cooperating therewith, means for moving the hammer freely past the back-check in the direction of the operative stroke of said hammer and for permitting the checkingabutment on the hammer-head to contact with the back-check during the return stroke of said hammer.

9. In a piano-action, the combination of a hammer, ahammer-butt pivoted to said hammer and means for moving the hammer and hammer-butt together in the direction of the operative stroke and for permitting the hammer to return for at least a portion ofits stroke independently of the hammer-butt.

10. Ina piano-action, the combination of a hammer-butt pivoted to its support and a hammer pivoted to said hammer butt and adapted to move independently thereof throughout a portion of the stroke of said hammer, whereby the hammer may move on different arcs during a single complete stroke thereof.

11. In a piano-action, the combination of a key, a hammer, intermediate means between the hammer and the key, said intermediate means comprising a plurality of pivotallyconnected parts and being disconnected from the key, but bearing thereon, and a spring both ends of which are secured to said intermediate means at points at a distance from a pivot-joint connecting parts of said intermediate means.

12. In a piano-action, the combination of a key, a hammer, apivoted extension-piece connected at its upper end with the hammer, said extension-piece being disconnected from but bearing upon the key, and a spring, one end of which is secured to the said extensionpiece, while its other end has a connection with the hammer-carrying member at a distance from the pivot of the extension-piece.

13. Ina piano-action, the combination of a key, a pivoted hammer-carrying member, an extension-piece pivoted to said member and disconnected from the key, but bearingthereon, and a spring having one end secured to the extension-piece and the other connected tension-piece.

14. In a piano-action, the-combination of a key, a hammer, a jack cooperating with said hammer and asingle spring for operating said jack and restoring said hammer and key to the normal position.

15. In a piano'action, the combination of a key, a hammer, a jack cooperating with said hammer, a singlespring for operating said jack and restoring said hammer'and key to the normal position and means for adjusting the tension of said spring.

16. In a piano-action, the combination of a key, a hammer, a jack cooperating with said hammer, a single spring for operating said" jack and returning said hammer and key to the normal position said spring being carried by movable portions of the action and means for changing the positions of the points of connection of said spring with relation to each other by the operation of the action.

17. In a piano-action, the combination of a jack, a spring connected to said jack andto another movable portion of the action, one of the parts to which the spring is connected bearing against the rear end of the key and means for moving the parts to which the spring is connected in the operation of the action, so as to vary the position of the ends of the spring with relation toeach other and thereby effect the tension of the spring on the jack and to restore jack, hammer, and key tothe normal position.

18. In a piano-action, a key having a depression therein for the reception of a portion of the action and an opening in a wall of the key which communicates with the depression, whereby the key may be withdrawn without removing any other portion of the action.

19. In a piano-action, a key having a depression with a sloping front wall therein for the reception of a portion of the action.

20. In a piano-action, the combination of a key having a depression therein, a portion of the action seated within said depression, a lateral opening in the key which communicates with the depression, whereby the key may be withdrawn without removing any other'portion of the action and means for preventing the accidental displacement, through the lateral opening, of the portion of the action contained in the depression.

21. In a piano-action, the combination of a hammer having a hammer-butt pivoted to the hammer-shank, a jack pivoted to the hammer-butt, an extension-piece operated by the keyand operatively connected to the hammer-butt and a breaking-button carried by the extension-piece and adapted to cooperate with the jack. r

22. In a piano-action, the combination of a hammer having a hammer-butt pivoted to the hammer-shank, a jack pivoted to the hammer-butt, an extension-piece operated by the key and operatively connected to the ham- Witnesses:

mer-butt, a breaking-button carried by the extension-piece and adapted to cooperate with the jack and a damper controlled by the hammer-bu tt.

23. In a piano-action, the combination of a hammer havinga hammer-butt pivoted to the hammer-shank, a jack pivoted to the hammerbutt, an extension-piece operated by the key and operatively connected to the hammer-butt and a spring connected at one end to the extension-piece and at the other end to the jack.

24:. In a piano-action, the combination of a hammer having a hammer-butt pivoted to the shank of the hammer atone point and to a hammer-rail at another point, a jack pivoted to the hammer-butt, an extension-piece operated by the key and operatively connected'to the hammer-butt, a breaking-button carried by th e extension-piece and adapted to cooperate with the jacket and a back-check for said hammer whereby the hammer Will move toward the string around the pivot of the ham mer-butt and will return towardthe backcheck around the pivot which unites the hammer to the hammer-butt.

25. In a piano-action,a fixed support,a hammer-carryin g member pivoted thereto,an exten sion-piece pivoted to said member and engaging one of the piano-keys, and a spring one end of which is secured to the said extensionpiece while its other end is operatively connected with the hammer-carrying member.

26. In a piano-action,a fixed support,a hammer-carrying member pivoted thereto, an extension-piece pivoted to said member and engaging one of the piano-keys, and a spring one end of which is secured to the said extensionpiece while its other end is operatively connected with the hammer-carrying member, at a greater distance from the pivot of said memher than the extension-piece.

27. In a piano-action,a fixed support,a hammer-butt pivoted thereto,a hammer pivoted to the butt, an extension-piece likewise pivoted to the butt and engaging one of the pianokeys, a jack pivoted to the butt at a greater distance from the butt-pivot than the extension-piece, and arranged to temporarily hold the hammer against independent pivotal movement, and a spring one end of which is secured to the jack at a distance from its pivot, while its other end is secured to the extension-piece. I 28. In a piano-action,a fixed snpport,ahammer-butt pivoted thereto,a hammer pivoted to the butt, an extension-piece likewise pivoted to the butt and engaging one of the pianokeys, a jack pivoted to the butt and arranged to temporarily hold the hammer against independent pivotal movement, and a spring one end of which is secured to the jack at a distance from its pivot, While its other end is secured to the extension-piece.

EMERY M. HAMILTON.

CHARLES E. SMITH, J OHANNA M. STROPP. 

